Sounders Notebook: Adam Johnasson, Mauro Rosales Play Vs. UW

All week we've been hearing about how this would be a telling day regarding the health of injured right-sided players Mauro Rosales and Adam Johansson. After each played in Saturday's scrimmage against the University of Washington, both seem to be on track for making their return for the Seattle Sounders.

Both players started with Johansson electing to come out after 30 minutes and Rosales making it through the entire 60. Each player showed some signs of rust, but more importantly came out of the 1-0 Sounders victory feeling good about where they stand health-wise.

"It was good," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. "We told them both that they’d go 30 minutes and let us know if they wanted to go more. Adam felt he didn’t want to go beyond 30, he felt pretty good and justed wanted run and do fitness work that way. Mauro felt good and was able to go all 60. We didn’t ease down yesterday's practice so between yesterday’s practice and today’s game, it’s pretty good at replicating what a game would be over the weekend."

Schmid cautioned that the real test will come in the coming days after the soreness and aches have a chance to materialize. But he sounded hopeful that they will be available next week against the Chicago Fire.

Johansson's hamstring injury has been particularly frustrating, and would seem to have the higher likelihood of lingering.

"It’s the type of injury you can’t really push," he said. "If you feel pain, then you can’t really push through it. You just have to wait and work hard."

Rosales' knee injury has been a little bit more straightforward, if equally frustrating. Playing a game against an opponent that wasn't pulling out of tackles sounded like a good thing for his confidence.

"Of course, I needed this game," he said. "We needed to try this game because in training, you’re teammates know you have pain and maybe they come in easier than normal. But these guys come … it really was physical."

MONTERO SCORES: The only real highlight of the scrimmage was Fredy Montero scoring a goal around the 50th minute. His shot from about 19 yards out was well taken, but probably should have been saved as it snuck through his arms. The Sounders did move the ball well through the midfield, but that's probably what you'd expect when playing a college teams. Bryan Meredith did look confident in goal.

SOUNDERS INQUIRED ABOUT FUCITO: It's not necessarily a huge surprise, but Schmid confirmed the Sounders did talk to the Montreal Impact about re-acquiring Mike Fucito. Schmid sounded somewhat amused about the idea of Fucito suiting up for the Sounders' biggest rivals.

"I feel sorry for Mike," Schmid said. "He’s probably got to wear an undershirt because the green jersey is going to make his skin itch. I don’t think Portland would ever make a trade directly with us, but obviously they traded with Montreal. For Mike, he wasn’t getting a look at Montreal and maybe this presents an opportunity for him."